Aaron.
"Don't harm the girl!" Kaiser's voice cuts through the melee. "She's the prize! Her life is worth more than all of yours combined!" He barks.
That single command changes everything. While his assassins can kill us without hesitation, they have to be careful around Penelope. It's the only advantage we have.
And I intend to use it.
I shift partially, my claws extending and meet the first mercenary head-on.
My claws tear through his throat before he can properly engage. He drops, and I'm already moving to the next one.
Beside me, Matthias fights with brutal efficiency with his new Alpha strength.
Luca and the other warriors form a protective circle around Penelope, defending her even as they're forced back by sheer numbers.
"Matthias!" I shout over the sounds of combat. "Get h
